A cluster chart is a type of visualization where trades are grouped simultaneously by two parameters: time and price. This grouping is known as a cluster and is used to better assess market demand and supply.

Each cluster contains market information (data types):

The cluster chart consists of cluster bars, horizontal, and vertical histograms.

The total trading volume is displayed on gray clusters. This is the sum of buy and sell trades.

Scales are labeled with the letter “V”

Shortcut keys: Shift + V

The volume delta is the difference between buy and sell trade volumes.

Scales are labeled with the letter “D.”

Shortcut keys: Shift + D

You can make the horizontal delta histogram cumulative, accounting for previously visible delta values on the chart when forming current values. This helps to assess, cumulatively, the extent of buys or sells over a time period.

Scale is labeled “CD”

Shortcut keys: Shift + D + D

The total number of trades (both buys and sells) is displayed, with the cluster color coded blue.

Scales are labeled with the letter “Q”

Shortcut keys: Shift + Q

The trade count delta shows the difference in the number of completed trades.

Clusters and histograms are colored blue and orange.

Scales are labeled “QD”

Shortcut keys: Shift + Q + Q

In this data display mode, you can make the horizontal histogram cumulative.

Scale labeled “CQD”

Shortcut keys: Shift + Q + Q + Q

You can visualize price using two scales:

On a linear scale, the distance between points on the price axis is the same.

Example: If the scale step is 10, then the distance between the 10 and 20 marks is the same as between 100 and 110.

On a logarithmic scale, the distance between points corresponds to percentage changes in price. This means that the same distance on the chart represents the same percentage change, rather than the same numerical change.

Example: If the price rises from 10 to 20 (a 100% increase), this will take up the same space as an increase from 100 to 200 (also a 100% increase).

The last price of an asset is displayed in a brighter color on the price scale.

You can also view the asset’s historical data by simply dragging the chart with the mouse. When viewing historical data, the closing price of the last loaded bar on the chart is shown in a dimmer color.

For more detailed information on cluster values, hover over the desired cluster or histogram bar, and a tooltip with detailed information will appear.

The tooltip contains:

The ruler is a tool for measuring price movement on the cluster chart.

To activate the ruler, either find the special button or use the shortcut keys Shift + Click on the chart.

The ruler legend displays:

How to use: Hover the mouse at the starting point where you want to begin measuring, press Shift + Click, then drag the mouse to the endpoint and click again. To reset the ruler, click once more.

Note: When measuring the same price movement from top to bottom and bottom to top, the percentage values may differ. This is because a downward movement can only be 100%, while an upward movement can theoretically be infinite.

Sometimes, when shifting the chart, you may notice that a large and "noticeable" cluster changes its size.

This occurs because a cluster is not a single trade but a group of trades. Each trade has three parameters: time, price, and volume.

Trades in a cluster are grouped by two parameters, time and price, with volumes summed. Within a single time frame, trades do not move to neighboring bars. However, grouping by price can cause trades to shift. The cluster heights are adjusted automatically based on the visible price range and selected resolution. If the minimum or maximum price range on the chart changes, cluster heights are recalculated, and trades are regrouped accordingly. Trades retain their prices, but changes in resolution and cluster height may result in a trade appearing in a higher or lower cluster, ultimately impacting the chart’s appearance.

This effect is caused by the automatic height adjustment for clusters, making the chart easy to read visually, without needing to manually set a height for each range. To avoid this effect, you would need to manually set grouping values, which might slow down trading speed.

Traders moving from technical analysis to volume analysis may make the mistake of using the cluster chart the same way as a price chart (candlestick, OHLC).

A cluster chart is for visually assessing trade volumes, while a price chart is for visually assessing price movement.

Therefore, if you don’t see any clusters on the cluster chart, you should switch to a price chart. Below is an example of incorrect usage:

Low resolution example:

High resolution example:

As resolution is a parameter for better visual assessment of volumes, aim to set a resolution that allows clear visibility of clusters, not too small for detailed viewing and not too large to appear as a “spot.”

Good example with average setting:

The loaded range and resolution are visual settings for the volume chart, so select them based on your monitor size and chart size.

If the chart is small, the resolution and bar range should be small as well. If the monitor is large and the chart takes up the whole screen, then both resolution and range can be set to the maximum.